CDC Links Dining Out To Higher Covid-19 Risk
Source: NBC News
By Erika Edwards, 2 hrs ago.
Dining out raises the risk of contracting COVID-19 more than other activities, such as shopping or going to a salon, according to a report published Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
The findings come as many states consider the safest ways to reopen businesses, especially restaurants. On Wednesday, for example, New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced that limited indoor dining will be allowed in New York City starting Sept. 30. The CDC report included 314 people who had COVID-19 symptoms and were subsequently tested for the virus; about half tested positive.
Researchers then asked all participants about their social activities during the two weeks prior to their COVID-19 test. The participants lived in states with varying levels of reopening guidelines: California, Colorado, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, North Carolina, Ohio, Tennessee, Utah and Washington.
Both groups generally reported similar activities, such as going to church, gyms and stores, with one exception: going out to eat or having drinks at a bar or coffee shop. Those who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19, "were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than were those with negative SARS-CoV-2 test results." And those who were diagnosed without any known exposure to the virus were more likely to report having visited a bar or coffee shop in the previous two weeks...
Read more: https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/cdc-links-dining-out-to-higher-covid-19-risk/ar-BB18Utoe
MASKS:
"The increased risk makes sense; it's easy to wear a mask in stores or in places of worship, but it's nearly impossible to do so while eating and drinking," said Dr. Todd Rice, a co-author of the report and a Vanderbilt Univ. Med. Ctr. associate professor of medicine.
Maskless individuals are also often close together when eating at a restaurant, sitting across the table from one another.
Researchers failed to include info. about whether diners sat indoors or outdoors. A blunder or deliberate omission.
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*TIPS: 'How To Navigate Dining Out In The Age of Covid-19,' Columbus Monthly, Aug. 6, 2020.
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/foodanddining/20200806/how-to-navigate-dining-out-in-age-of-covid-19
Liberty Belle
(9,528 posts)Take sensible precautions.
If I go to a restaurant we choose outdoors if possible. We avoid those where the tables don't look far enough apart.
If seated with another person, try to get a table for four or more and sit not directly across from each other.
appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)space apart as possible. Outdoors is better for ventilation of course. How in summer could that be overlooked..
From the article: "Infectious disease experts maintain that outdoor spaces are safer than indoor areas, which have less ventilation. The CDC's guidelines for dining out indicate that drive-thrus, delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up carry the lowest risk for COVID-19 transmission."
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)We wear masks except when eating/drinking but thats when I wear my plastic face shield. Easy to dine/drink with that on. I know its no substitute for real masks but its better than nothing and keeps everyone mindful that things arent back to normal.
appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)I bought a face shield and keep forgetting about it..
soothsayer
(38,601 posts)Like I said, also a good reality check fir everyone who spies it ha
Blue Owl
(49,913 posts)cstanleytech
(26,080 posts)virus it is simply ill advised to do so and thus that is why I do not do so and others really need to do that as well.
That does not mean people need to stop doing business with restaurants though as many places offer take out service as well as delivery so that is what people should be doing until this thing clears up.
BumRushDaShow
(127,297 posts)and will stay at 25% capacity for indoor dining (with no bars-only facilities permitted to open).
I recall seeing an article from Japan with a restaurant that developed a mask addition to a standard mask that is configured like a napkin and can be placed in front of the mouth to allow diners to eat while "masked" - https://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2020/08/08/business/corporate-business/japan-saizeriya-restaurant-face-mask/
A demo video (in Japanese) is here -
Merlot
(9,696 posts)BumRushDaShow
(127,297 posts)I think the idea was to provide those at each table along with the dinnerware/silverware and napkins.
Javaman
(62,439 posts)dhill926
(16,234 posts)always distanced and always outside. We wouldn't eat indoors even with distancing...
oldsoftie
(12,410 posts)They keep the doors open & have everyone spread out.
Orangepeel
(13,933 posts)paleotn
(17,778 posts)in the "No fucking shit, Sherlock" file.
NYC Liberal
(20,132 posts)outdoor dining are following the law. They have tables crammed in together, barely any space. For the most part theyve been in a sectioned off space of the parking lane, but now a lot of places are starting to put tables on the sidewalk itself, despite the law requiring pedestrians to have at least 8 feet of space to pass.
You couldnt pay me to go to a restaurant right now.
appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)People go there, packed in, wow.
For the few geniuses who commented the article was duh, common knowledge, I'd like to show them your post. But nah.
Many still don't realize how most Covid infection spreads-- via mouth, nasal area particles-- and the risks some take.
LovingA2andMI
(7,006 posts)Period for years. Carry out. Eat it at home. We're quite fine with that.
Ohiogal
(31,658 posts)Havent eaten in a restaurant since last Feb. too risky.
We do occasionally get takeout (curbside service)
From reading the article, its the airflow/ventilation in a crowded room that seems to transmit the virus. Plus people removing masks to eat.
I enjoy dining out, but will pass on it until pandemic is over, its just too risky
JI7
(89,173 posts)appalachiablue
(41,052 posts)and wear masks. Servers should always wear masks too. *See post #15 on NYC outdoor dining, literally on the sidewalk.
The CDC study forgot to ask respondents whether they dined indoors or outdoors, in summer no less.
>NBC.. "One limitation of the report is that the researchers did not ask participants whether they ate or drank indoors or outdoors. Infectious disease experts maintain that outdoor spaces are safer than indoor areas, which have less ventilation. The CDC's guidelines for dining out indicate that drive-thrus, delivery, take-out and curbside pick-up carry the lowest risk for COVID-19 transmission."
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Also, 'Dining Out In The Age of Covid-19'
https://www.columbusmonthly.com/foodanddining/20200806/how-to-navigate-dining-out-in-age-of-covid-19